Stafford declines award for a price

JAMIE MOCK

Published 6:00 pm, Monday, March 8, 2004

Mayor Leonard Scarcella received a letter from the award sponsor, Pat Summerall Produ-ctions, stating the city was being considered as one of 25 cities to be selected for 2004 as "champions of small city management."

The letter stated the city, if chosen, would get a two-minute announcement profile of the city produced, then aired on CNN's Headline News Network between 6 and 6:30 p.m. Eastern Standard time. In parentheses, the letter read, "the 2-minute announcement will air on a paid basis and is not a part of the news."

Also included in the award package was the development of a five to six minute promotional video, which would include interviews with Stafford City management. The video would be available to the city for unlimited distribution. In 2005, the 25 cities selected would be listed in Forbes Magazine as a small picture with a caption "describing the unique character of the city and why it was selected as a Champion."

Bill Springer, production supervisor for the city's municipal cable television channel, researched the award, going as far as calling Eagle, Idaho, a small city that purchased the package.

According to Springer, Eagle city representatives were "not at all happy with what appeared on CNN."

"I looked at the video," says Springer, "and it was not at all something we couldn't do. But, sure, if we bought the package, we would be in their list of very well managed small cities."

Scarcella said he felt purchasing the package "would not be appropriate."

"It is not something we would get $24,000 out of," said Scarcella.

"I am sure glad you feel that way, mayor," said Councilman J.P. Wiltz. "I was voting no for this thing any way it went."

"It is one thing to be honored and recognized," said Councilman Cecil Willis. "It's another to buy our way."

Council voted unanimously against pursuing the offer.

In other business, council approved:

A request by the Chief of Police for Jan Jones to attend the Texas FBINNA Command College at St. Mary's University in San Antonio on May 24-28, including payment of expenses.

A request by the Chief of Police for Jan Jones to attend the Pro-Active Management training at the Gus George Law Academy in Richmond on March 19, including payment of expenses

A request by the Court Director for Judge Teana Watson to attend the judicial education program sponsored by the Texas Municipal Courts Education Center in Houston on March 24-25, including payment of expenses.